Chest pains for 25 years

I am 32 years old and female. I am not unhealthy or overweight. I have had sharp chest pains on my left side right under my breast since I was about 6 years old. The pains last seconds or hours. Taking deep slow breaths work sometimes other times I must breathe very shallow or else the pain is so bad it brings tears to my eyes. I was told at age 16 it was mitral regurgitation but not to worry about it. I'm just unsure if these pains are something I should continue to ignore. Does anyone have similar symptoms that could possibly advise. I unfortunatly do not have health insurance so I don't want to waste money and time since I was already told once to ignore it. Thanks

[islandgrl47]

Even though you have had these symptoms since you were 6 and already told not to worry about it, I would not ignore it completely.Periodic Blood pressure checks, and physicals are well worth the cost. However the pain under your breast maybe from your ribs and the shallow breathing may be from your diaphram (which is connected to your ribs)  In the mean time a good Chiropractor can give you some thoracic adjustments. I found with myself this aleviated my chest discomfort. They are not as costly as alot of unnecessary medical testing. Since most insurance companies don't cover them anyway they are more reasonable and in the U.S. highly trained and educated in the medical field. I was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse as a child which "disappeard" when I got older. I am now in my 40's it was not until I had a pre-operative chest x-ray for an unrelated surgery, that they discovered a pericardial cyst. I am beginning to think I had it all my life. My point is, your health is worth the time. Start off conservatively with Chiro adjustments and your annual physical and if symptoms persist or change, you may have to pursue more costly testing. Good luck and God Bless